FAQs

Fundraising

Q – How was the $300 profit goal set?

A – Each year the Pack Committee looks at past expenses and the future expenses we expect to incur based on the program to be delivered and balance those expenses against the income we expect to receive based on fundraising.

Q – How will I know how close my scout is to achieving $300 in profit?

A – You can approximate how much profit earned by multiplying the online popcorn sales of your scout by .48. We will have popcorn sales and Burgers meats totaled and can provide an update at the end of October.

Wreath sales totals will be known around November 20th.

Q – What happens if my scout earns less than $300 profit?

A – The remainder will need to be paid prior Dec. 1.

Q – If my scout earns less than $300 profit and I pay the balance prior to Dec. 1 and my scout earns money in the spring, can I get a refund for the previous years shortfall?

A – No. the first $300 of the fundraising year profit go first to pay all of the individual scout’s dues/fees/ events for the upcoming year. Once that has been reached, the remainder will be divided between the Pack and the Scout’s ISA.

Q – Will there still be a percentage of fundraising given to scouts in cash?

A – Maybe. Once a scout hits the $350 profit level, there is a small cash reward for any additional profit earned, which totals 5% of the profit earned over $350.

Q – Can fundraising profits earned by a scout go towards uniform related expenses?

A – Yes. Once the yearly profit goals have been reached by a scout, the next $50 in profit is 100% designated for the scout to purchase field uniform (official) or activity uniform (scout t-shirt) related items.

DUES

Q – What all is included once my child hits $300 in fundraising profits or I make up the difference?

A – National BSA dues, Great Rivers Council Program Fee, Pack 703 Dues, entrance to all Pack events with parent(s) / guardian(s), District Day Camp.

New scouts are required to pay National BSA dues and the Great Rivers Council Program Fee at the time of registration. This amount is deducted from the $300 fundraising goal.

Q – Does my child have to fundraise? Can I just pay $300?

A – No, fundraising is optional, however we encourage fundraising as the experience provides valuable life lessons. If you wish to pay the fees and not fundraise, that is perfectly fine.

Q – What if my child puts in the effort and doesn’t make the $300 profit goal?

A – Pack 703 is committed to finding ways to assist scouts and their families participate in scouting despite financial need. The Pack Committee has a special fund for scout financial aid that can be accessed if certain requirements are met. Details are posted on our website.

Q – How does the dues requirement apply to new members?

A – New members will have to pay their national dues ($85), and Council Program fee ($60) at the time they join. The pack dues can be paid 3 and 6 months later respectively.

The out of pocket expenses for membership that are paid by the family can be reimbursed by the pack if the scout fundraises $300 in profit during the current fundraising year.

The Pack Committee has a special fund for scout financial aid that can be accessed if certain requirements are met.

Q – What should I do if I get an email from the national BSA asking that dues be paid to renew the membership of my child?

A – We recommend that you alert the Treasurer and make sure funds are available for the pack to pay the dues on your behalf.

Individual Scout Accounts

Q – What can the ISA funds be spent on?

A – Anything scout related: uniforms, scout books, camping gear, summer camp, non-pack scouting events like Scout-O-Rama and climbing events at the Scouting Adventure Center.

Q – How can ISA purchases be made?

A – Either purchase the item and provide receipts, etc (to show the item bought and amount) and the treasurer can reimburse you or provide details of the item and the treasurer may be able to purchase the item for you.

Q – What happens if my scout crosses over to a troop, but has an ISA balance?

A – Unfortunately the IRS prohibits the transfer of a balance to another unit or a cash payout.

The scout can purchase any scout related item needed at the troop level prior to crossing over.

If the scout has a sibling in the Pack the balance will be transferred to their ISA account.

After 90 days of no longer being a Pack member, the funds are released into the general pack account and cannot be returned should the scout rejoin at a later date.

Q – What happens if my scout quits, but has an ISA balance?

A – After 90 days of the membership ending the funds are released into the general pack account and cannot be returned should the scout rejoin at a later date.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q – Why are dues and fundraising so complicated?

A – Good question! Unfortunately almost all of the rules are based on IRS regulations and judgements where nonprofits lost their nonprofit status and/or the recipient (scout) owed income taxes.

Q – Are there additional fees if I want to bring my entire family to pack events (siblings, grandparents, etc)?

A – You are welcome to bring additional family members beyond the scout and parents/guardians to events. Most events will not require any additional fee to be paid as there is not an expense to the pack. However, when an event has a per person cost, we must collect such amount for any additional attendees.